The Owen County coroner says an autopsy performed confirms the body found near Gosport Thursday is missing toddler Shaylyn Ammerman. The coroner ruled her death a homicide due to asphyxiation.
Update March 25, 6:00 a.m.
Shaylyn Ammerman's body was found in a rural area in Gosport, just after 6 p.m. Thursday.
Police arrested Kyle Parker, 22, in her disappearance. Parker lives in Spencer.
According to Shaylyn's father, Justin Ammerman, Parker had been in the house the night Shaylyn disappeared.
"He came in. He went to my brother's room, and he brought some alcohol over there," said Ammerman.
Police aren't saying much about Parker, including what charges he may face.
State Police Sgt. Curt Durnil says the investigation is just beginning.
"Please don't think that just because we found a body and that we've made an arrest that this case is anywhere near over. This case is just getting started. With more interviews, with more investigative tactics, with everything that we have at our disposal, we will use to bring those who are responsible for this little girl's death to justice," says Durnil.
Parker has had misdemeanor run-ins with the law in the past, but no violent felonies on his record.
State Police did say that it is possible more arrests could be coming as their investigation continues.
An autopsy will be conducted today to find out exactly how Shaylyn died.
Update March 24, 10:00 p.m.
A body matching the description of Shaylyn Ammerman was found just after 6:00 p.m. Thursday.
Kyle Parker, 22, of Spencer has been taken into custody and is currently being held in connection with this case.
An autopsy will be performed Friday.
Update March 24, 6:30 p.m.
Police say interviews of persons of interest are being conducted, some for the second time. Evidence such as computers and cell phones have been collected and forensically examined.
At a press conference Thursday afternoon, Indiana State Police affirmed their dedication to the search effort.
"We're not leaving any stone unturned in this case," says Sgt. Curt Durnil. "We're asking folks to continue to call us with any tips with any information that may be significant or insignificant."
The Indiana Conservation Officers are using sonar equipment in their effort.
The FBI is on scene and assisting local officers with their technology and resources along with state and local K9's both search and cadaver.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is on the scene and relaying information from the case to their national headquarters.
Original Post:
State police have joined the search for a missing toddler in Spencer.
One-year-old Shaylyn Ammerman went missing from her father and grandmother's house sometime before daylight Wednesday and police and searchers spent all day yesterday looking for her.
"The front door was unlocked because we don't never lock the door," says the girl's grandmother Tamara Sue Morgan. "I mean we don't have any reason to lock the door. I've been living in Spencer all of my life and we just don't look doors here."
Police questioned three men who'd been in the home and the child's grandmother. They also served several search warrants, but had established no motive and had made no arrests.
Morgan says she's confident that it was an abduction and not a robbery because her laptop and other items of value were still in the house.
"I'm scared. I'm angry. I'm frustrated and all kinds of things. I'm scared to death for her and I just don't know who has her."
Shaylyn Ammerman was last seen in a white sleeper and may have a Winnie the Pooh blanket.
Wednesday night Shaylyn's mother Jessica Stewart, pleaded for her daughters safe return.
"Please bring her home. She needs her mom. She's a happy baby. Anytime any kind of music comes on TV she's just bopping her head, stomping around, dancing."
Police are asking for anyone with information to call their anonymous tip line: (812) 332-4411.
